With sounds of jazz floating through the air, the Future for Families 5th annual gala was underway. This high tech silent and live auction benefitting The Women's Crisis and Family Outreach Center was a lively event. Guests checked in with Auction by Cellular and with the use of ipads and guests' smart phones, the silent auction was high tech indeed. Unlike most other events, guests were encouraged to keep their phones out during dinner so everyone could track their silent auction bids.

In addition there was a wine pull, where guests gave $20 and then were able to select an amazing mystery wine.

Women's Crisis and Family Outreach Center Executive Director Jennifer Walker took the stage to welcome everyone and to encourage them to keep their phones out during the entire evening so they could track their auction bids. She then introduced the keynote speaker Mark Wynn, a childhood family violence survivor, former police officer and national trainer. Mark took us on a journey through his childhood of family violence and his resolve as an adult to treat family violence as the horrific crime it truly is. Mark's story was poignant, horrifying and sometimes humorous. He talked about his training as a police rookie and how family violence was minimized and often blamed on the victims. Mark works to shape policy and update laws across the country to protect victims. He is a living example of the theme for the event: "from crisis comes opportunity."

Although laws and awareness are evolving, family violence still devastates too many families. WCFOC works with those victimized by family violence, providing a 24-hour crisis line and emergency shelter, therapy for victims and at-risk youth, legal advocacy and community outreach.

The evening wrapped up with the live auction run by auctioneer Adam Kevil, who encouraged the crowd to join in the bidding action.

For more information about The Women's Crisis and Family Outreach Center and their services, please check out their website: http://twcfoc.org